Cross Body Tricep Extensions

[MelanieC]

Hi Cathe!

I have been using Gym Styles Chest & Triceps for about 6 months now, and I don't yet feel comfortable doing the cross-body tricep extensions.

Even though I've been doing this workout for 6 months, I still can only use 5 pounds on that move, and I feel that it is very painful on my shoulders. It feels like my shoulder is coming out of the socket, and I'm not sure how to correct my form so that I can do this move without pain.

Do you have any suggestions or alternate tricep moves that I could do that would work the same areas hit by the cross-body extensions?

Thanks so much!

Melanie

 

[galina885]

I have some moves that I cannot do either because of my shoulder and/or my elbow. My doctor tells me that if you feel pain, do something else. Pain is your body's way of telling you to STOP. There are plenty of other exersises for ticeps, so you don't have to be uncomfortable.

 

[Bobbi-B]

I agree, if that exercise is causing you pain, don't do it! I don't have the qualifications of Cathe and other personal trainers, but I would think that regular lying down triceps extensions would be a fine substitute.

 

[MelanieC]

Thanks!

Thank-you for both of your responses. I kept trying to do that move, thinking I was doing something wrong, or that I needed to just keep doing it and the pain would go away.

I suppose its hard sometimes to acknowledge our limitations, but when I did the workout the other day I completely skipped that move.

Thanks again for your responses.

 

[kathryn]

I agree to just do regular lying triceps extensions. You can get variety by starting with hands in neutral (palms facing at bottom) then moving to pronation at the top (palms facing forward), which also adds a secondary function of the triceps: moving the arm from supination/neutral to pronation).

You could also try the cross-body version by using a resistance band instead (anchor it with your other hand holding it near the non-working shoulder). That eliminates the weight of the dumbell, but still puts the emphasis on the triceps, and may help you avoid the shoulder strain you are feeling.

HTH!

 

[Cathe Friedrich]

Sure Melanie! You can do double arm lying extensions with either a barbell or dumbbell. You can do standing (or seated) one arm overhead extensions with a dumbbell.

Good Luck!

Hi Cathe!

I have been using Gym Styles Chest & Triceps for about 6 months now, and I don't yet feel comfortable doing the cross-body tricep extensions.

Even though I've been doing this workout for 6 months, I still can only use 5 pounds on that move, and I feel that it is very painful on my shoulders. It feels like my shoulder is coming out of the socket, and I'm not sure how to correct my form so that I can do this move without pain.

Do you have any suggestions or alternate tricep moves that I could do that would work the same areas hit by the cross-body extensions?

Thanks so much!

Melanie

 

[MelanieC]

Thanks Cathe!

Thanks for your reply Cathe - I really appreciate you taking the time to personally respond to my question! I'll try out your suggestions the next time I do the workout.

Melanie

 

[Barbara P]

Just wanted to add that there is nothing wrong with having to modify. Cross body triceps are actually one of my favorites and I can go to 10 pounds or more, BUT when I do shoulder exercises, and Cathe seems to do a lot of shoulders! those I really have to modify because I have some real issues there (thanks to 30 years of daily lap swimming....) that also affects exercises like tricep dips and pushups which I feel mainly in my shoulders before they even GET to the muscle they are supposed to be working!
So...I modify. It's fine to do.

 

[pjlippert]

Hi Melanie, I also have some shoulder-ish moves that I've been advised to go easy on. My massage therapist friend tells me that the shoulder is a very vulnerable area of the body so don't risk injury- my left shoulder can be a tiny bit wonky at times so, I just modify the moves in some workouts if I feel my shoulder is "talking to me" or I just do a different movement. Listen to your body so you don't hurt yourself.

Have a great weekend!
Pam